Castile–Leon and Castile–La Mancha
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Castile–Leon and Castile–La Mancha - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Sort by:
10 Recommendations
{{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }}
0 Recommendations
Loading...
-
1. Catedral de León
The pride of León is its soaring cathedral, begun in 1205. It is an outstanding example of Gothic architecture complete with gargoyles, flying buttresses, and pointed arches. Its 2,000 square yards of vivid stained-glass panels—second only, perhaps, to those in Chartres, France—depict biblical stories and Castilian landscapes. A glass door to the choir gives an unobstructed view of nave windows and the painted altarpiece, framed with gold leaf. The cathedral also contains the sculpted tomb of King Ordoño II, who moved the capital of Christian Spain to León. The museum's collection boasts giant medieval hymnals, textiles, sculptures, wood carvings, and paintings. Look for the carved-wood Mudejar archive, with a letter of the alphabet above each door—it's one of the world's oldest filing cabinets. Guided tours can be scheduled by phone.
Pl. de Regla, León, Castille and León, 24003, Spain98-787--5770Sight Details
Rate Includes: From €7 -
2. Antiguo Convento de San Marcos
Originally a home for knights of the Order of St. James, who patrolled the Camino de Santiago, this monastery was begun in 1513 by the head of the order, King Ferdinand. It is now a parador. The plateresque facade is a majestic swath of small, intricate sculptures (many depicting knights and lords) and ornamentation—one of the most impressive Renaissance works in Spain. Inside, a cloister full of medieval statues leads you to the bar, which still has the original defensive arrow slits as windows. As the Anexo Monumental del Museo de León, the convent also displays historic paintings and artifacts.
Pl. de San Marcos 7, León, Castille and León, 24001, Spain98-724--5061Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon. -
3. Basílica de San Isidoro
This sandstone basilica was built into the side of the city wall in 1063 and rebuilt in the 12th century on the site of an ancient Roman temple. Adjoining the basilica, the Panteón de los Reyes (Royal Pantheon), which has been called "the Sistine Chapel of Romanesque art," has vibrant 12th-century frescoes on its pillars and ceiling. Look for the agricultural calendar painted on one archway, showing which farming task should be performed each month. Twenty-three kings and queens were buried here, but their tombs were destroyed by French troops during the Napoleonic Wars. Treasures in the adjacent Museo de San Isidoro include a jewel-encrusted agate chalice, a richly illustrated handwritten Bible, and polychrome wood statues of the Virgin Mary. Admission includes a guided tour of the Royal Pantheon and museum.
Pl. de San Isidoro 4, León, Castille and León, 24003, Spain98-787--6161Sight Details
Rate Includes: €5, Closed Mon. -
4. Casa Botines
This Gaudí masterpiece, which housed a bank until 2017, is now an excellent museum dedicated to the Moderniste architect. Under the conical spires and behind the squamous facade are more than 5,000 works of art spanning eight centuries by such renowned masters as Sorolla, Madrazo, Gutiérrez, and Solana. Given that this is the largest of Gaudí's buildings to be opened as a museum, it's worth the extra few euros for a guided tour in English.
Calle Legión VII 3, León, Castille and León, 24000, Spain98-735--3247Sight Details
Rate Includes: From €8, Closed Tues. -
5. Fundación Vela Zanetti
This contemporary art museum, constructed using minimalist wood beams and glass panels inside a 15th-century mansion, pays homage to Zanetti, a 20th-century Castilian artist known for his thought-provoking murals portraying agrarian life. Some may remind you of works by El Greco for their shimmering luminosity. It's worth the stop, and you can view the exhibit in under an hour.
Calle Pablo Flórez, León, Castille and León, 24193, Spain98-724--4121Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon. -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
6. MUSAC (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León)
It's worth detouring to this museum for its facade alone, a modern technicolor masterpiece by famed Spanish architects Mansilla + Tuñón. The endless rainbow of rectangles that encloses the building is an homage to the colorful stained glass of the cathedral. Inside, wander through rooms bearing the latest art and multimedia projects by locally and nationally acclaimed artists. Films and concerts are also shown throughout the year.
Av. de los Reyes Leoneses 24, León, Castille and León, 24008, Spain98-709--0000Sight Details
Rate Includes: €3 (free Sun. 5–9, Tues.–Thurs. 7-8), Closed Mon. -
7. Museo de León
This museum displays artifacts from the region from prehistoric to contemporary times, including sculptures, engravings, paintings, and furniture, but the crown jewel of the collection is the Cristo Carrizo (Carrizo Crucifix), a small 11th-century Romanesque ivory carving distinguished by its lifelike expression and powerful presence. Notice the figure's carefully coiffed hair and beard and the loincloth arranged in sumptuous Byzantine detail.
Pl. de Santo Domingo 8, León, Castille and León, 24002, Spain98-723--6405Sight Details
Rate Includes: €1, Closed Mon. -
8. Plaza de San Martín
León's busiest tapas bars are in and around this 12th-century square. The area is called the Barrio Húmedo, or "Wet Neighborhood," allegedly because of the deluge of wine spilled here late at night.
León, Castille and León, 24003, Spain -
9. Plaza de Santa María del Camino
This square was once called Plaza del Grano (Grain Square) because it was the site of the city's corn and bread market. Also here is the church of Santa María del Camino, where pilgrims stop on their way west to Santiago de Compostela. The fountain in the middle of the plaza depicts two cherubim clutching a pillar, symbolizing León's two rivers and the capital.
León, Castille and León, 24003, Spain -
10. Plaza Mayor
This is the heart of the old town, and on Wednesday and Saturday mornings the arcaded plaza bustles with farmers selling produce and cheeses.
León, Castille and León, 24000, Spain
-
{{ (numCurrentPage-1)*numPageLimit+index+1 }}.
{{ item.neighborhood }} | {{ item.first_keyword }}{{ item.review }}
{{ item.address }}{{ item.phone[0] }}{{ item.details.title }} Details
{{ item.details.content.toString() }}View Tours and Activities -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
No sights Results
Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:
There are no results for {{ strDestName }} Sights in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:
